Takayama
1 June 2016
Today we would be travelling to Takayama from Toyama. We took the local train to Toyama, changing line at Inotani. We departed at 8.14am and arrived around 10.20am. Train ticket cost JPY 1660.
 |
| JR local train ticket |
 |
| passing through rivers along the way |
 |
| change station at Inotani |
 |
| Takayama Nohi bus station, next to train station |
 |
| Takayama JR train station |
After arriving at Takayama station, we walked to our hotel - Country
Hotel just across the road, above Family Mart (JPY 6800 / room / night).
Since we cannot check in yet until 3pm, we just dropped our backpacks
first then proceeded to the Miyagawa morning market along the Miyagawa
river. Fortunately, there was still activity going on, the stalls and
shops were still opened. The morning market is opened from 6.30am to
12.00 noon. The stalls sell food, farm products, and local crafts, among
others. There are also many souvenir shops here, which also operates
from 6.30am to 12 noon.
 |
| stall at Miyagawa morning market selling crafts |
 |
| stall at Miyagawa morning market selling farm products |
 |
| souvenir shops at Miyagawa morning market |
 |
| shops and stalls at Miyagawa morning market |
You can also just chill by the Miyagawa river, snacking on the local delicacies or enjoying matcha ice cream. The special local dish here is the hida beef. But since we didn't make any prior reservations for halal beef, we didn't get the opportunity to try it. Perhaps next time.
 |
| just chilling by the Miyagawa river |
 |
| the pristine Miyagawa river |
 |
| fish windsock at Miyagawa river |
 |
| fish in the clear water |
After chilling out, we made our way back to the Takayama station to purchase the Hida No Sato Folk Village ticket with return bus trip via the Sarubobo bus which cost JPY 930. Oh yes, Sarubobo is the local mascot of Hida Takayama which is a faceless red coloured monkey baby. Traditionally, sarubobos are made as a charm for good marriage, good children and get a good match.
 |
| us with a Sarubobo monkey doll |
On the way back to Takayama station, we walked through the Old Private Houses (Sanmachi) at the south of Yasukawa-dori street. The houses have remained largely untouched from their time as part of a prospering merchant district from the Edo and Meiji periods. There are also many souvenir and sake shops here.
 |
| the private houses of Sanmachi |
 |
| the private houses of Sanmachi |
 |
| the private houses of Sanmachi |
We took the 12.40pm bus to the Folk Village. The Folk Village is really charming with its exhibition of traditional houses from the mountainous Hida region. According to the
Japan guide, the houses were built during the Edo Period (1603 - 1867) and were relocated from their original locations to create the museum in 1971. There are a few gassho-zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs resembling a pair of hands joined in prayer. One of the gassho-zukuri houses - the Wakayama house was constructed in 1751. It was relocated from Shirakawa-go as it was in the area where dams were being built for hydroelectric generation. The ground floor was built by carpenters and the upper floors were constructed by the village people. It took them 4 days to make the thatched roofs which could last 40 to 60 years. The fire at the hearth (irori) is always lighted to preserve the house. The smoke protects it from harmful insects, keep the ropes tight and gives it moderate moisture. The irori is also used to cook food.
 |
| Wakayama's ghasso-zukuri house |
 |
| the thatched roof of Wakayama's Ghasso-Zukuri house |
 |
| the ghasso-zukuri roof from inside at the upper floor |
 |
| irori |
 |
| another irori |
 |
| irori in the centre of the hall |
The 4 National Important Cultural Property at the Folk Village are Wakayama's house; Tanaka's house - a typical old farmhouse built in the mid 18th century in Takayama city; Taguchi's house (built in 1809) - who was the head of village in Gero city and often held meetings, so most of the rooms could be resized by moving the sliding doors; and Yoshizane's house (built in the mid of the 18th century)- the only house in the Hida village not destroyed by a big earthquake on 1858, because of the forked pillar holding it.
 |
| Tanaka's farmhouse |
 |
| Taguchi's house |
 |
| spacious hall in Taguchi's house. There were school kids assembling handcrafts in the house during our visit |
 |
| Yoshizane's house |
 |
| this fork pillar helped Yoshizane's house withstand the earthquake |
 |
| artisan at work |
There is also a pond in the middle of the village with fishes and ducks swimming happily. You could feed the fishes by purchasing the animal food for JPY 50 each. You could also reminisce the atmosphere of the village in the old days, complete with traditional games on display (which you could also try) such as spinning the top and walking on giant stilts.
 |
| Goami pond at Hida No Sato village |
 |
| Goami pond at Hida No Sato village |
 |
| mother duck and its ducklings |
 |
| swan |
We took the 3.30pm bus back to Takayama station, then checked in our small room at Country Hotel. Later that evening, we chilled out at Miyagawa river again and checking out some shops for souvenirs before retiring for the day. Please note shops here close early, between 5pm to 6pm. Tomorrow we would be going to Shirakawa-go, a Unesco Heritage site.
 |
| Country Hotel facilites |
 |
| Country Hotel small room |
Labels: Travelogue
